ETHEKWINI NEWSFLASH
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FULL COUNCIL DECISIONS
EThekwini Municipality convened a Full Council meeting today, 26 February, and approved decisive measures to accelerate service delivery and unlock critical infrastructure investments.
COUNCIL APPROVES 2025/26 ADJUSTMENT BUDGET TO ADDRESS URGENT SERVICE DELIVERY NEEDS
In a proactive move to respond to emerging priorities and urgent service delivery needs, Council approved the adjustments budget for the 2025/26 financial year, increasing to R72 billion.
The revised budget provides for additional expenditure, the reprioritisation of funds, and the management of unforeseen and unavoidable costs, including critical storm damage.
A key component of the reprioritisation is to address urgent and critical storm damage affecting sanitation infrastructure to address sewer spillages and accelerate maintenance
The sanitation capital budget has been increased from R604 million to R1.2 billion.
The increased funding will support the rehabilitation, upgrading, and refurbishment of the following ongoing sanitation infrastructure:
• Northern Wastewater Treatment Works
• Umbilo Wastewater Treatment Work
• Sewer pipelines and pump stations
The adjusted budget also makes provision for an increased allocation towards water infrastructure from R1.1 billion to R1.2 billion, with a strong focus on addressing non-revenue water.
The adjustment budget will accelerate the implementation of:
• Reservoir maintenance
• Trunk main maintenance
• Trunk main replacement
• Leak detection and repair
• Repair and upgrading of pressure-reducing valves
• Metering previously unmetered properties
• Replacement of old water meters in residential and business properties
The housing budget has increased from R748.124 million to R995.791 million. The additional allocation for human settlements includes a rollover of R69 million from the unspent Human Settlements Development Grant and R50 million from income received in advance.
This funding will support the acceleration of housing delivery programmes and related infrastructure to improve living conditions for residents.
The adjustments budget incorporates revised grant allocations in line with the amended division of revenue, including:
• Metro Trading Services Grant
• Municipal Disaster Recovery Grant
• Related reimbursements
• Reduction of the Public Transport Network Grant
The approval of the adjustments budget ensures that the Municipality can respond effectively to emergencies, maintain fiscal discipline, and continue delivering essential services to residents.
ETHEKWINI COUNCIL APPROVES DRAFT SPATIAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION
Council approved the Draft Municipal Spatial Framework for public consultation.
The Municipality is calling on residents, businesses, civil society organisations, and all interested stakeholders to submit comments on the Draft 2026/27 Municipal Spatial Development Framework (MSDF), which has been prepared for public consultation.
As the City’s primary spatial planning instrument, the MSDF guides how land is used, how development is managed, and where infrastructure investment is prioritised across the Municipal area.
The framework is a statutory requirement under the Municipal Systems Act and the Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act, and its annual review ensures that eThekwini’s spatial strategy remains responsive to community needs, long term growth, and changing development patterns.
The 2026/27 draft MSDF places strong emphasis on spatial transformation, integrated human settlements, improved access to services, sustainable land management, and the alignment of municipal investment with economic opportunity.
It also incorporates precinct level planning, recent land use adjustments, climate resilience considerations, and catalytic development priorities that position Durban as a globally competitive city.
Public participation is central to the MSDF review, and community input will directly shape the final document that goes before Council for adoption in May 2026.
The draft will be made available through Sizakala Centres, Municipal libraries and the City’s website, enabling residents across eThekwini to engage fully with its proposals.
KWAMNYANDU URBAN HUB PRECINCT PLAN
Council approved the KwaMnyandu Urban Hub Precinct Plan, a transformative initiative supported by the Neighbourhood Development Programme.
The approved Urban Hub Plan is grounded in Transit-Oriented Development and Complete Streets principles, ensuring that transport systems, land use, housing, and economic activities are closely integrated.
The approach promotes walkability, accessibility, mixed-use development, and improved public spaces, laying the foundation for inclusive and sustainable urban growth.
The KwaMnyandu Precinct Plan establishes a long-term spatial and implementation framework to guide the area’s development.
It aims to transform KwaMnyandu into a vibrant, connected, and economically active township hub, while strengthening uMlazi’s integration with the wider metropolitan region.
CLEANSING AND SOLID WASTE DIRECTORATE COMPLIES WITH EIGHT MINIMUM COMMITMENTS UNDER TRADING SERVICES REFORMS
In a decisive step to strengthen governance and safeguard access to national incentive funding, Council has endorsed eight minimum commitments (M1–M8) for the Cleansing and Solid Waste Directorate under the National Treasury’s Municipal Trading Services Reforms (MTSR) programme.
The endorsement enables the Municipality to align with national reform standards and secure eligibility for grant and incentive funding for the 2026/27 financial year.
Institutional reform under the MTSR framework is designed to ensure that Municipal trading services operate efficiently, remain financially viable, and deliver reliable services to communities.
Similar reform applications have recently been advanced for water and electricity services.
The Cleansing and Solid Waste Directorate will now formally align its operations with the same governance and performance standards.
The eight minimum commitments (M1–M8) form the foundation of the MTSR programme and focus on:
• Strengthened governance and oversight
• Improved operational efficiency
• Enhanced financial sustainability
• Greater transparency and accountability
Council noted that failure to comply with the reform requirements by May 2026 will result in disqualification from incentive funding under the programme.
By endorsing the commitments, the Municipality has reaffirmed its commitment to institutional reform, improved service delivery, and sound financial management.
DONATION TO STREGHTHEN SAFETY AND SECURITY ALONG THE CITY’S COASTLINE
The Metro Police Commissioner was granted authority by Council to accept a donation of vehicles, quad bikes and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) valued at R4.3 million to strengthen safety and security along the City’s coastline.
The donation, made by Tourism Marketing South Africa, Federated Hospitality Association of South Africa, and Tourism Business Council of South Africa, will support the Metro Police Coastal and Tourism Policing Unit in enhancing coastal tourism safety, increasing policing visibility, and strengthening emergency response capacity.
Council noted that there are no tangible financial implications for the Municipality in accepting the donation.
The contribution arises from the Revitalisation of Tourism in the eThekwini Region under Presidential Workstream 4, dated 7 March 2025.
During this workstream, resolutions were adopted to assist the Metro Police Coastal and Tourism Policing Division in bolstering safety measures and ensuring a secure environment for residents and visitors along the City’s coastline.
The approval underscores the Municipality’s commitment to collaborative partnerships that enhance public safety, promote tourism growth, and stimulate the local economy.
Strengthening safety along the coastline is expected to reinforce investor confidence, improve visitor experiences, and contribute positively to economic recovery and development.
COUNCIL AUTHORISES RENEWAL AND EXPANSION OF MEDIA PARTNERSHIPS FOR COMMERCIAL SPORTS FACILITIES
In a move set to strengthen Durban’s position as a leading events destination, Council authorised Acting Director of the Commercial Sport Facilities Directorate to identify and negotiate new trade exchange media partnership agreements for print and electronic advertising platforms across the City’s premier sporting and events facilities.
This follows the previous Council approval of a three-year media partnership agreement currently in place with Gagasi FM and East Coast Radio, which is set to expire on 30 April 2026.
The existing mutually beneficial agreement delivers a total value-in-kind contribution of R9 million per annum.
Council recognised the significant benefits derived from the current trade exchange partnership model, which has enhanced brand visibility and marketing reach without direct financial expenditure.
The expanded partnerships are expected to enhance the visibility of major sporting and entertainment events, attract new audiences, and unlock additional revenue opportunities.
The Commercial Sport Facilities Directorate carries a strategic mandate to sell, promote, and position its facilities as leading event destinations in Durban.
Through integrated print and electronic media platforms, the Directorate promotes major event programmes, stadium attractions, retail tenant activities, and the popular People’s Park, while also marketing all facilities under its management to drive increased visitor numbers and revenue growth.
ENDS
Issued by eThekwini Municipality’s Marketing and Communications Directorate
